Libyan Government Confirms Death of Chief of Staff in Plane Accident

Libya’s chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died on Tuesday when a plane crashed shortly after departing from Ankara, Turkey, according to Libya’s internationally recognised government. Four other individuals were also on board the aircraft.

Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said the incident occurred as the delegation was returning from an official visit to the Turkish capital, calling the loss significant for Libya and its military institution.

Those travelling with Al-Haddad included the commander of Libya’s ground forces, the head of the military manufacturing authority, an adviser to the chief of staff, and a member of his media office.

Turkish authorities said the aircraft departed Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 1710 GMT en route to Tripoli, but contact was lost approximately 40 minutes later. The wreckage was later found near the village of Kesikkavak in Ankara’s Haymana district. The Dassault Falcon 50 jet reportedly requested an emergency landing before communication was lost.

The cause of the crash has not yet been established, and Turkish officials have launched an investigation.

Libya’s Government of National Unity said the prime minister instructed the defence minister to send an official delegation to Ankara to follow developments. A government official said the aircraft was a leased jet registered in Malta, with its ownership and technical history still under review.

The Government of National Unity declared three days of official mourning.